Pix from Canada's 2-0 victory over the USA in the gold medal game played at Canada Hockey Place in Vancouver during the 2010 Olympic Games. Canada's Hayley Wickenheiser with the flag. (Photo by Peter Power / The Globe and Mail) (Peter Power)

Pix from Canada's 2-0 victory over the USA in the gold medal game played at Canada Hockey Place in Vancouver during the 2010 Olympic Games. Canada's Hayley Wickenheiser with the flag. (Photo by Peter Power / The Globe and Mail)(Peter Power)

The world's top female hockey player, and a multiple world and Olympic champion, has been awarded the Order of Canada for her efforts on and off the ice.

Known largely for her ability to score key goals at critical moments, Wickenheiser has worked tirelessly to promote women's hockey in Canada and throughout the world. The 32-year-old Saskatchewan native has also worked for several charities, including Right To Play, the international humanitarian organization aimed at helping children through play.

Wickenheiser is currently in Accra, Ghana with Right To Play, which issued this statement on her behalf:

"I want to thank all of you for your support. I'm very honoured to also receive the Order of Canada and thank organizations like Right To Play that have given me the chance to work with them."

Robert Witchel, the national director of Right To Play Canada, added: "Hayley has a deep understanding of how sport and play can positively impact children's lives and has gone out of her way to support Right To Play by helping to raise awareness of, and funds, for our important work. We honoured to be associated with her and are very proud of this latest accomplishment."

Wickenheiser has won three Olympic gold medals, played professionally in a men's league in Scandinavia and has competed at a Summer Olympics in softball. She played for the University of Calgary Dinos this past season and is preparing for another Olympic experience at the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia.